After seven seasons,
the cultural phenomenon that is
Mad Men has finally come to an end. Set primarily in the ‘60s, the show was a weekly reminder of the
Golden Era of dressing. Each character assimilated iconic period pieces into wardrobes that broadcasted their
personalities as much as their ranks within the advertising firm. Since season one, we’ve been taken with Don Draper’s
impeccably tailored suits and low-key accessories. No matter how many duplicities and adulterous entanglements Draper
got himself into, he always looked like a class act. Don Draper’s style – and that of
Mad Men itself –
has had a massive influence on
runways and on men looking for style inspiration. So to commemorate the end of this stylish TV series, we’ve
chosen our favorite Don Draper looks from each season and broken them down for you. The ad exec’s formula for great
style?
Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant
summed it up for Men’s
Fitness: Don’t be a slob, get a tailor, embrace color and skinny ties, and pay attention to the details
– hats, pocket squares, watches, and ties allow men to show individuality. Tie it all together with some swagger. There
are certainly characters who are far more adventurous dressers than Draper, but what he does so well is he wears what
looks good on
him – a cue we can all take.
Season 1, Episode 2 – Ladies
Room
An iconic scene from
Mad Men. There are so many suits on the show it's easy to get lost in
the sea of them, but if you pay attention to the fabrics, colors, and patterns of Don Draper’s suits, you’ll see he’s
quietly manifesting his artistic side. Rather than being nearly all blue or gray like Pete Campbell’s in the beginning
of the series, Draper’s suits always have an interesting texture (such as tweed), color, or pattern (here, he’s in
pinstripes). Draper is a businessman but he's also a creative, a balance reflected in his outfits.
Season 2, Episode 7 – The Gold
Violin
Draper’s skinny tie and skinny lapels are carryovers from the ‘50s, a decade which had an immense
influence on early ‘60s dressing. Again, Draper takes the suit away from stark black and white with a blazer made of
multicolor thread and a subtly striped brown tie.
Season 3, Episode 5 – The
Fog
Mad Men is set in an era when men wore hats. On the special occasion of welcoming his third
child home, Draper is dressed to the nines in a suit and felt fedora with a tapered crown.
Season 4, Episode 3 – The Good
News
It’s the end of 1964, and Don Draper is getting ready for a holiday trip to Acapulco. In the midst of
shuffling from work to Los Angeles to visit Anna - the wife of the man whose identity he stole - he goes into vacation
dressing mode, topping his suit with a thick gray coat and even toting around a straw briefcase.
Season 5, Episode 8 – Lady
Lazarus
Draper livens up an otherwise run-of-the-mill dark gray suit with a striped oxblood tie and his
signature neat white pocket square.
Season 6, Episode 9 – The Better
Half
It’s midsummer and scorching hot. Draper stays ever the professional with a tailored suit, albeit with
a summery taupe blazer and neutral brown tie with contrasting azure blue stripes. It’s got a slightly groovier factor
that we see increasingly on all characters as the show approaches 1970.
Season 7
Draper’s ties get wider and more colorful during
Mad Men’s last season. Colors like
brown and blue – staples of the ‘70s - surface often. Lapels and pants follow the widening trend, and the mod influence
is obvious. -- Did we leave out any Don Draper outfits? Let us know what your favorite Draper outfit is in the comments!
(Images):
GQ
